The re-identification of Penicillium and Talaromyces (Eurotiales) catalogued in South African culture collections

Abstract

The taxonomy of Penicillium and Talaromyces has been modernized in the past decade, resulting in more robust and accurate identifications, while hundreds of new species were described from around the world. South Africa has emerged as somewhat of a biodiversity hotspot for these genera, with 48 new species being described in recent years. The aim of this current project was to re-identify Penicillium and Talaromyces strains held in South African culture collections, including the National Collections of Fungi (PPRI) and the Medical Research Council (MRC). A total of 295 PPRI and 56 MRC strains were revived and identified using β-tubulin (BenA) gene sequences. For new or rarely found species, we also sequenced the rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) genes. The strains were identified to 99 Penicillium and 25 Talaromyces species, among them eight new Penicillium and three new Talaromyces species. Morphological comparisons with close relatives confirmed the novelty of these species, and they are formally described here as P. drakensteinense, P. kirstenboschense, P. limpopoense, P. lydenburgense, P. mbombelaense, P. potchefstroomense, P. roodeplaatense, P. silvertonense, T. gautengensis, T. macrodendroideus, and T. mzansiensis. This study provides a much-needed update on species diversity captured in South African culture collections and makes an important contribution to international knowledge on these important genera.